“Friday night found Bombay. The approach to the wharf was one of the most attractive we’d seen. It’s a vast city with miles of wharves and it looked very western as we approached. Kap was expecting his brothers to meet him, and it was quite a while before they all found each other. We went ashore to supper. We tried the Taj Mahal, but were too late there, and went on to the Astoria. One brother is an Army lieutenant, a real sergeant major type, and like Stalin to look at.”
Entry from Jean’s notebook journal – the last one, for some reason Jean ceased recording her journey so future accounts all come from her letter’s home.
“We arrived at Bombay about 8 at night. It was the most attractive wharf we’d pulled into – and up to date. Miles and miles of docks with modern buildings and plenty of trees. Kap had an exciting time meeting 2 of his brothers. one is an army officer, looks like Stalin, and is a real sergeant major type. The other is a shy young student – three less alike you couldn’t imagine. Our crowd all went ashore for supper. I was staggered by the modern huge buildings that lined the streets – and the homeless beggars sleeping on the footpaths and streets – miles of them. We went to the Taj Mahal hotel for supper (the poshest hotel in the East) but were too late (at 10PM!). At least we saw into the dining room, even if it was to be thrown out. It’s a gloriously luxurious building, right on the water-front, opposite the “Gateway of India” which you’ve probably seen in pictures. Kap’s brother knew Bombay pretty well, and know of a reliable restaurant, so we had supper there and sampled Indian dishes – pretty good. Next day we hired a taxi (very cheap in Bombay) and went to places of interest round Bombay, had drinks at the Taj Mahal Hotel (prohibition in Bombay – orange drinks), and waved goodbye to Kap.
Kap will probably return to Melbourne to work – or he may stay in India. If he goes back to Melbourne, it will probably be in a few months time, I won’t be back myself then, but I gave him your address, and I’m sure he’ll look you up if he’s in Melbourne. I’d better tell you a bit about him in case he does. He’s 24, a Hindu though he doesn’t believe in their way of worshipping in temples, a civil engineering graduate from Melbourne University, the son of a doctor in New Delhi. He’s one of the most charming and interesting fellows – he’s apparently got plenty of money, moves in a higher circle of society than ours I imagine, but nevertheless just as friendly to everyone. I’m sure you and Urwin would like him if you met him – he’s full of “go”, and I hope you don’t mind my giving him your address. He may not get in touch with you at all if he does go back to Melbourne, but he seemed genuinely pleased to have the address. I think it’s possible that he may be married when he goes home, hence the doubt as to whether he’ll be working in Australia or not. I don’t him terribly well – just in the same crowd.
I’m enclosing a day’s menus for your perusal – every day just as good – too good.
Thankyou very much for the knitting book, thought I haven’t done any knitting. I’m enclosing stamps and air letters which I had left after Australian waters which are no use to me now (it will help to pay for the book and postage. Give my love to Mr and Mrs Bates, Mrs Hood, Marj, Alex and the boys. Cheerio now, love from Jean”. P.S I’ll be in England when I write again. “
Jean’s letter to her sister Mary, dated Friday 11th May, sent from Gulf of Suez
